Wool

Protein fiber — alkalinity and heat are the enemies.

• Wool is damaged by alkaline soaps and high temperatures, and is attacked by insects. [1]
• Hand wash at about 30°C, or machine wash on a wool setting or cold delicates cycle, using a neutral mild detergent; dry flat. [2]
• For stains on wool: blot with a lint-free cloth — never rub — work from the edge toward the center, pre-test any product on a hidden area, and ventilate when using solvents. [3]
• If taking a wool item to a dry cleaner after a stain, tell the cleaner what the stain is and what you already applied. [3]
• Clean or dry-clean wool before storing — moths attack soiled wool. [4]

Sources

1. Institutional University of Georgia Extension (Textiles) — Fiber Types (accessed 2026-08-18)
2. Industry body The Woolmark Company — How to Wash Wool (accessed 2026-08-18)
3. Industry body The Woolmark Company — Removing Stains from Wool (accessed 2026-08-18)
4. Institutional University of Tennessee Extension — Clothing and Textiles Intermediate Project Guide, Unit IV: Caring for My Clothes (W 1061-D) (accessed 2026-08-18)

Updated 2026-08-18. Compiled from the cited sources; not independently verified by this site. Care labels and manufacturer instructions always take precedence. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy.